Apple killer app for outdoor enthusiasts.

Just watching the WWDC keynote. Satellite text messaging is going to be available in IOS18 on the iPhone 15 and later.

I can see that being really useful with our slightly patchy cellular coverage in the UK.

That’s pretty awesome.  It’s great riding in places like Hamsterley now where there’s bot all reception knowing that the little sat icon is there if you need it. How much will they charge for it though, that’s the question?

The 14 and 15 can already contract the emergency services via satellite

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/101573

What happens after 2 years?

Actually it might have been the 14 as well.

Anyway it’ll now be able to send and receive normal text messages too, which I think will be useful.

That notes natural maths function looks pretty cool.

I’m watching the wwdc now (apple user since 2000) and I detest these folk, if you said they were entirely AI generated then I’d believe you.

Anyway it’ll now be able to send and receive normal text messages too, which I think will be useful.

How long before there’s a thread on here bemoaning someone’s kid racking up a multi- thousand ££ bill for doing just that?? 😆😆😆

It says US only in the footnotes.

It’ll come in time.

This is good news, I’m guessing they’ll be rolling it out on android phones soon as well

It is a feature that would make me consider upgrading my phone. I’m planning on doing some bikepacking in Northern Scotland and was considering buying something like the Garmin In-Reach. Having one less item to charge and carry would be a substantial benefit for me.

This is good news, I’m guessing they’ll be rolling it out on android phones soon as well

Apparently it’s the cellular providers who’ve been blocking it.

something like the Garmin In-Reach. Having one less item to charge and carry would be a substantial benefit for me.

In defence of the InReach Mini:

• Battery lasts for something like two weeks
• Can be used with gloves, in an emergency or for line-based navigation
• Fits into rucksack strap chest pocket
• Probably has a better antenna
• Simple interaction to trigger emergency function
• Immune from being f’d up by phone OS and buggy app updates or battery drains
• Not going to be smashed up if you drop it the wrong way on rocks, or even land on it

Whether that’s worth it, each to their own.

In defence of the InReach Mini

do you have it in your pocket every time you go out anywhere though? 🤔

Apparently it’s the cellular providers who’ve been blocking it.

Funny that!

Surely it is only a matter of time before satellite comms becomes mainstream.

Garmin InReach is great — durable, reliable, battery life lasts ages, and its pretty small. It’s also a backup navigation device, but I’d only bother taking mine if I was going to somewhere very remote.

I think that the great thing is that this is a problem that is now being solved.

do you have it in your pocket every time you go out anywhere though? 🤔

No, of course not. But it’s a good point you make.

I was merely highlighting that if you’re going on a proper adventure, there are still reasons to consider the inReach Mini.

do you have it in your pocket every time you go out anywhere though?

Most times when you’re out there’s a cellular signal.

I’m guessing they’ll be rolling it out on android phones soon as well

https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/android-phones/android-15s-satellite-communication-feature-may-already-be-live-for-t-mobile-users

I was merely highlighting that if you’re going on a proper adventure, there are still reasons to consider the inReach Mini.

Not least of which, redundancy.

if you’re going on a proper adventure

I’m getting the impression that most people are only considering this iPhone feature in terms of summoning life-saving aid in the event of an emergency… I mean that is great to have as a backup, but I don’t think (at least I hope!!) I’ll ever need to use it like that! I’m more thinking it’ll be great for those occasions when you have no signal (remote campsite, in a valley, biking in the forest, etc) where you have no signal but I’d be quite convenient just to able to send someone a message! Not a life-saver, just really handy 😃

Most times when you’re out there’s a cellular signal.